Snapped Shot

Slublog points out that Absolut has issued an explanation of its Absolut World advertisement, which I mentioned briefly yesterday. The corporate explanation reads thusly:

The In An Absolut World advertising campaign invites consumers to visualize a world that appeals to them -- one they feel may be more idealized or one that may be a bit "fantastic." As such, the campaign will elicit varying opinions and points of view. We have a variety of executions running in countries worldwide, and each is germane to that country and that population.

A world that appeals to me, eh? Alright—How about starting with this world:



I understand that the original ad campaign was intended to be a lighthearted joke, and I definitely enjoy seeing the excellent Photoshopped responses to it.

Imagine, though, if Absolut had issued an ad under this same campaign depicting the map of the Confederate States of America. It is Southern History Month, after all.

What do you think the reaction to an ad like that would be? Do you think everyone would be quick to explain it as being a joke?

Or do you think, like I do, that we'd be seeing Jesse and Al marching in the streets?

It's the double-standard that is so irritating here, folks. Otherwise, I'd be just as likely to laugh this off as a marketing joke as you are.

(Oh, and personally, I'd love to see them run an ad like that. No publicity is bad publicity, right? And at least it would show that they're not above holding everyone to parody, instead of kow-towing to the standardly dull politically-correct thinking. There ya go, there's an idea for my next parody of this ad:—In an Absolut world, corporations wouldn't be too petrified to use politically incorrect jokes in their advertisements. That'll be the day!)

I will be rounding up good parodies beyond the fold. If you have a photoshop of your own, feel free to post it to the comments section!